Purpose: This study aimed to identify research trends by applying the scoping studies method to articles published from the establishment of the Korean Society for Nursing Simulation in 2011 to June 2021, and to suggest the direction for future research. Method: A total of 73 articles were reviewed by applying the six steps and recommendations for scoping studies as suggested by Arksey and O'Malley. Results: Focusing on the subjects, research topics were classified comprehensively into the experience of nursing students, nurses, professors, and office workers. As a result of analyzing the research process characteristics, practical teaching and learning using simulation technology resources were conducted during most of the research, and a systematic curriculum for learning promotion was devised and applied. Furthermore, nursing performance ability was evaluated, learning situation was identified, and simulation education situation and necessity of clinical field were identified. The keywords “applied technology,” “teaching-learning method,” “environment,” “cognition,” “attitude,” “affect,” “patient status,” “nursing,” and “nursing performance” were identified as eight categories. Conclusion: The post-coronavirus era has provided an opportunity to expand the scope of Korean nursing simulation research, which is going to further contribute to nursing development.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of a simulation-based patient safety performance improvement education program on caregivers’ knowledge, attitude, and performance toward safety. Methods: This study adopted a quasi-experimental design that applied before-and-after designs for the test and control groups. It was configured focusing on “infectious disease,” “fires,” “falls,” and “drug abuse.” Results: There was a significant difference in knowledge and patient safety performance between the experimental group and the control group. However, there was no significant difference in attitudes toward safety. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the simulation-based patient safety performance improvement education program is effective in improving patient safety performance. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously apply and evaluate the simulation-based patient safety performance training program to enable caregivers to develop professional prevention and management capabilities within elderly care facilities

Purpose: This study verified the effects of simulation-based communication education on the problem-solving process, communication self-efficacy, and communication ability of nursing college students. Methods: As an experimental study of single-group pre- and post-design, data were collected from April 12 to June 18, 2021, using a self-report questionnaire from 55 Year 4 nursing college students in city D. The collected data were analyzed in terms of frequency, paired t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: Our findings indicated that there were significant differences between the problem-solving process (t=-20.54, p<.001), communication self-efficacy (t=-15.31, p<.001), and communication ability (t=-3.62, p=.001) in communication before and after simulation-based communication education. Following simulation-based communication education, the communication ability of nursing students was evaluated through the problem-solving process (r=.46, p<.01), self-efficacy in communication (r=.37, p<.01), and problem-solving process by a doctor. Furthermore, it was found that there was a significant positive correlation with communication self-efficacy (r=.16, p<.01). Conclusion: It can be expected that the simulation -based communication education will improve nursing students’ problem-solving process, communication self-efficacy, and communication ability and thus contribute to high-quality nursing in related clinical situations. In addition, for a more effective communication education, research that could develop various scenarios in the clinical field and verify the effectiveness is required.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the basic data of online practice nursing education after categorizing the subjective perceptions of online practice among nursing students and closely examining the characteristics of each type using the Q-methodology. Methods: The Q-methodology was used. The 34 Q-statements selected by each of the 40 participants were classified into a shape of normal distribution. Results: The online practice in the nursing practice was classified into the four following types: the “self-development emphasis,” “online practice beneficial,” “cognitive type of difficulty in online practice,” and “fear in case of being employed” types. Conclusion: The practice education content that is most similar to the clinical field training is expected to be developed when supplementing negative aspects and further reinforcing positive aspects in the online practice having been verified in this study.

Purpose: This study aimed to construct and test a hypothetical model to explain predictive factors affecting nursing students' satisfaction and self-confidence in simulation-based education based on the National League for Nursing Jeffries Simulation Theory. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 fourth-year nursing students with experience in simulation-based education enrolled at universities in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeonggi-do. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 25.0. Results: The hypothetical model showed good fit with the empirical data: χ2/df 2.17, RMSEA=.01, RMR=.01, GFI=.95, AGFI=.91, NFI=.94, TLI=.95, CFI=.97, and PNFI=.68. Simulation design characteristics, teaching efficiency, and flow were found to affect satisfaction and self-confidence directly. A bootstrap test indicated that teaching efficiency and flow mediated the relationship between simulation design characteristics and satisfaction and self-confidence. Conclusion: Simulation educators should apply best practice that enhance teaching efficiency and flow through well-organized simulation designs, nursing students can attain satisfaction and self-confidence through simulation-based education.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the meaning of simulation practice after experiencing virtual simulation for nursing students with clinical practice experience. We attempted to determine a nursing simulation strategy as an alternative to the clinical practice in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were seven nursing students who experienced clinical practice and completed alternative virtual simulation practice in the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using the phenomenological methodology. The key question was “what is the meaning and nature of child health nursing practice using virtual simulation in the COVID-19 pandemic?” Results: The significant statements were categorized into 14 themes, 7 theme clusters, and 2 categories. The categories extracted were “a sense of difference between virtual and reality” and “experience systematic learning transfer.” Conclusion: Practical education through nursing simulation is important for students to experience a systematic and efficient learning. Additionally, simulation educators should produce various efforts to help students achieve the learning outcomes, such as scenarios, class environments, and instructor preparation, to reduce their sense of separation from practice.

Purpose: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual simulation practice has been increasingly activated as an alternative to clinical practice in nursing colleges. This study aimed to provide basic data by confirming changes in self-efficacy and nursing knowledge in the virtual simulations of nursing students, and identifying virtual presence, virtual patient learning system evaluation (VPLSE), and practical satisfaction. Methods: This was a single-group pre-post quasi-experimental study. The subjects were 28 third-grade nursing students. Results: Self-efficacy and nursing knowledge increased significantly (p<.001). Virtual presence had a significant positive correlation with VPLSE) (p=.002) and practice satisfaction (p=.011). There was also a significant positive correlation between virtual simulation learning evaluation and practice satisfaction (p<.001). Conclusion: Based on these results, virtual simulation practice can be used with clinical practice as an educational method to improve nursing students' self-efficacy and nursing knowledge in nursing education. Virtual presence was confirmed as a significant variable to improve practice satisfaction and VPLSE. It is necessary to develop a virtual simulation program that can improve virtual presence through collaboration with virtual reality technology experts.